Photo: WTCC Media

SEAT furious after rule change

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As we reported earlier, SEAT are furious after the qualifying session for the FIA World Touring Car Championship race at Pau. The reason for it is rule changes regarding the turbo pressure of the turbo diesel SEAT’s.
“It is impossible to race like this”, said a very disappointed Antonio Rodriguez, SEAT Sport Team Manager.

Ahead of the 2009 season the maximum turbo pressure for the turbo diesel powererd SEAT’s was set to 2.5 bar.

With this limit came a variable tolerance of the pressure which depends on the atmospheric pressure and temperature, established race by race.

After the previous race at Marrakech, Africa, SEAT say that the variable tolerance has been removed which has led to the catastrophic pace of the turbo diesel powered SEAT’s at Pau.

Rickard Rydell was the best driver in 15th position on the grid while the petrol powered, independently entered, SEAT of Tom Coronel qualified a respectable third on the grid.

The SEAT team is to say the least upset with the rule change and the following statement was sent out by SEAT:

“From their racing debut, more than 30 years ago, SEAT has complied with and respected all technical and sporting regulations of the FIA. The clarity, transparency and stability of these regulations are essential, not only for participants, but also for the prestige of the championships, and in this particular case, of the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC).

The constant changes and technical restrictions, which are only affecting the SEAT cars, break this stability and the crucial balance and competitiveness between all participating makes.”

BMW lodged a protest against the turbo pressure after the race at Marrakech where the German manufacturer wanted the rules to be clarified regarding the variable tolerance limit.

BMW Motorsport boss Mario Theissen expressed concerns about the WTCC regulations then and this weekend it is SEAT’s turn:

“Despite the bad results achieved today, SEAT will be taking part in tomorrow’s race to show their commitment with the World Touring Car Championship, but it is also the start of a period of reflection as regards the future.”